Creative Hair and Media Makeup

Excel behind the scenes with our Creative Hair and Makeup Foundation Degree. This creative course, delivered in our bespoke makeup facilities within a working television studio, allows you to develop a wide range of skills demanded by the competitive media makeup industry. This programme has strong industry links and an emphasis on practical learning to prepare you for a successful career as a makeup artist in a range of settings such as film and TV, fashion and theatre. Our recent graduates have gained work on productions such as Prime Suspect, Maleficent 2, Cruella, Peaky Blinders, Gentleman Jack and for companies including Opera North, The Grand Theatre, Kat Von D, Illamasqua, MAC Cosmetics and Urban Decay.

Our programme blends academic study with industry insight to provide a comprehensive understanding of the industry. We encourage professional development, so as you study, you’ll gain valuable industry experience. You will be taught in a variety of ways including lectures, demonstrations, sketchbook workshops, critiques, discussions and presentations, while building your professional portfolio.

As you study, you’ll have the opportunity to choose optional modules to learn the specialist skills you desire from our experienced lecturers, such as special effects and prosthetics makeup, fashion and editorial makeup, body art, creative hair styling and wig knotting, giving you a wide and varied breadth of skills in different sectors. You’ll have opportunities to showcase at events and work backstage on productions and shoots, helping you to build your professional portfolio. We regularly invite industry experts; previous guest speakers have included Kate Benton (Last Kingdom, Hugo, Love Actually), Stuart Bray (Game of Thrones, Doctor Who), Dan Wood (Boohoo.com) and Laura Lawrence (Peaky Blinders) to deliver talks or to run makeup masterclasses.

You will train in our bespoke settings at Prime Studios located next to ITV and in our recently built facilities in Quarry Hill Campus in Leeds Cultural Quarter, neighbouring The Leeds Playhouse Theatre. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain practical experience with local companies such as Leeds Grand Theatre and Carriageworks Theatre, on local film and TV productions and at events such as the IMATS and United Makeup Artists Expo.

Our department is part of Screen Yorkshire’s Connected Campus initiative which works to forge closer links between TV and Film professionals, production companies, broadcasters and students. Through this initiative you will have access to a range of boot camps, masterclasses and special events, including visits to live sets and studios, industry workshops, visiting speakers and the opportunity to gain feedback on your work from industry professionals. The scheme is encouraged and supported by the broadcasters based in the region, including Channel 4, the BBC and ITV.

We are also members of Film Buddy UK who offer bespoke employability services to encourage, inspire and assist students directly into work experience placements and employment within the Film, Television & Creative Media Industries. UCL Creative Arts students have free registration with the company throughout their studies and have access to live Q and As with some of the world's leading specialists, mentoring support, access to work experience opportunities and FB-1, an online catalogue of interviews and podcasts with specialists from the screen industries.

Our modules focus on skills development and may include:

Year 1 (Level 4)

Fundamental Techniques for the Inclusive Artist - This module is designed to build knowledge and understanding of skills in order to build students’ confidence in working with diverse clients and models as well as developing their practical and creative skills.

Character Design and Application - An introduction to the skills required to design and create character makeup suitable for lens-based media. The module encourages a creative approach and practical understanding of the process of make-up design with special effects for fashion and editorial and prosthetics sectors.

Creative Professional - During this module, students will look inwards and produce a personal development plan, which will be referred to and updated throughout the programme.

Creative Hair and makeup - This module will allow students to develop an understanding of the processes of constructing and exhibiting artistic hairstyles and make-up effects that are appropriate to the context; whilst understanding the relationship and necessity of applying both hair and make-up skills to create a comprehensive look.

Historical influences in Hair and Makeup - Students will develop research and independent study skills to form critical analysis and interpretation of historical periods through the perspective of hair and make-up.

Year 2 (Level 5)

Optional modules
Prosthetics Makeup for Film and TV - An introduction to the techniques and processes for the making and application of prosthetic led characterisation. This includes gaining confidence and independence with industry led, current skills and processes of life casting, flat moulding, colouring and application specifically for Film and TV productions.

Creative Postiche - An introduction to facial postiche making to meet the requirements of a set client brief within a chosen context. Students will develop an appreciation of the essential skills needed to construct and dress facial hair pieces using complex techniques creatively.

Fashion Makeup Trend Forecasting - This module aims to communicate key knowledge and understanding relating to trend forecasting and its place within the media makeup industry. The ability to identify current trends is an essential tool to accurately predict future desires of brands and consumers. Identifying the latest trends and creating innovative makeup designs is fundamental to the role of a modern-day makeup artist.

Advanced Fashion and Editorial techniques - Student will develop creative makeup skills with a focus on the fashion and editorial industries. With teaching of advanced techniques, including body art, this module will allow students to create work according to current industry standards and expectations.

Avant Garde Hair and Wig Techniques - Learn the fundamental skills required when providing bespoke hairpieces and hair styling for fashion and photographic work.

Cutting for Continuity - The module aims to develop hairdressing skills that reflect and represent the multicultural backgrounds of actors when working as a makeup artist on set, for the film and TV industry.

Core modules
Working in the Makeup Industry - Throughout a series of taught sessions, students will explore theories to inform industry practices within the relevant creative industries and their importance in relation to their chosen sector. Students will also develop an understanding of experiential learning through a series of guest workshops, thus providing a framework for which the student sets out the learning objectives to be met during a work-based opportunity.

Managing a Showcase Event - Students will propose and design a creative project displaying both portfolio work and live installation to an audience, building entrepreneurial skill and giving them an individual artistic presence.

The optional modules available will be determined at the start of the academic year.

All assessments reflect current industry expectations and practices and may include:

Practical applications
Portfolio work
Campaign spreads
Vlogs
Showcase exhibition
Pitch presentations
Research folders
Reflective logs